The Gloster Meteor was a British jet fighter whose primary claim to fame was
its status as the UK’s very first operational jet. It commenced combat operations
in July 1944, and it served with the RAF and a number of other air forces for
decades in some cases. The very first Meteor F.I aircraft were used to tackle
German V-1 flying bombs, while the F.III was introduced in December 1944. This
newer variant had longer nacelles, larger cockpit canopy, increased fuel capacity
and it was powered by Rolls-Royce Derwent engines. The greatest problem in WWII
combat was that of friendly fire caused by the aircraft looking similar to the
enemy Me 262! This problem of misidentification was eased by painting the meteor
all white. Although the Meteor was an innovative aircraft in the new age of
jet-powered aircraft, it had an appalling safety record of 890 crashes and 450
pilots killed in RAF service alone.

The Cyber-Hobby brand has launched an all-new Gloster Meteor F.III fighter
in 1/72 scale. The Cyber-Hobby Original Kit is completely new, and was fully
designed using CAD. Based on high-tech drafting and engineering techniques,
the fighter’s fuselage is accurately reproduced. The body is a beautiful piece
of molding, with the panel lines carefully etched onto the curved surfaces.

To give more flexibility, modelers can elect to display the transparent cockpit
canopy either open or closed, with the cockpit sliding on tracks produced with
the help of slide molds. The tail rudder can also be depicted in different positions
as selected by the assembler. Several photo-etched items such as air brakes
add more finesse to the finished aircraft, without being a hassle to assemble.
The nose guns also have hollow muzzles thanks to careful molding of this 1/72
plastic kit. The Gloster Meteor was a remarkable fighter jet, Britain’s very
first, and Cyber Hobby’s first rendition of it is equally impressive!